11 January 2018 – The top United Nations envoy for Somalia has called for calm and dialogue amid reports of clashes
between security forces from ‘Somaliland’ and neighbouring Puntland.
“Our position is to try and reduce tensions [and] to increase dialogue very quickly between both sides, so that if there
are misunderstandings, these are clarified,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, while in Hargeisa, the capital of
‘Somaliland.’
“If there are genuine differences, then they have to be subject to immediate discussion,” he added. “But resorting to
military solutions and to violence is not the way to resolve these problems.”
The UN envoy was speaking at a joint press encounter yesterday with ‘Somaliland’s’ Foreign Minister, Saad Ali Shire,
after having met with ‘Somaliland’s’ President Muse Bihi Abdi – their first meeting since the latter was elected late
last year.
Earlier this week, there were reports of clashes between security forces in the Sool region, part of a disputed area
claimed by both ‘Somaliland’ and Puntland, located on the north-eastern tip of the Horn of Africa.
In their meeting, Mr. Keating and Mr. Bihi Abdi discussed the new government’s priorities, as well as the latest
security issues.
“I was very impressed by and grateful to the President for his commitment, borne from his many decades of personal
experience, of the importance of finding peaceful solutions to problems, “ he said, “and that a priority must be to try
and prevent violence of any kind, whether in ‘Somaliland,’ or, indeed, between ‘Somaliland’ and others.”
While in Hargeisa, the UN envoy also met with several cabinet ministers to discuss various topics, including education,
health, security, the impact of drought and employment, and how the United Nations can best provide support in
addressing humanitarian and development challenges in these areas. Similar meetings were subsequently held with civil
society representatives.
Part of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) – which Mr. Keating also heads and which has an
office in Hargeisa – is to support ‘Somaliland’ efforts towards a politically stable and democratic system that adheres
to the principles of good governance.
UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating, 000
The Special Representative also visited the Laas Geel rock shelters, located an hour north-east of Hargesia, and the
location of Neolithic paintings dating back several thousands of years.
“One of the reasons I wanted to come here is because it’s good to be reminded that [while] the image of this part of the
world is about conflict and so much despair and suffering, and yet it’s also one of the cradles of civilization,” Mr.
Keating said.
“So while it’s a resource for the world, it’s also very important for Somalis to know that they are living in a land
with great history and traditions and that is changing and is dynamic,” he added.
French researchers came across the site during an archaeological survey of the area in 2002, and it is considered to be
one of the oldest rock art sites in Africa and the most important ancient site in ‘Somaliland.’ The paintings depict
wild animals, decorated cattle and herders.
According to local authorities, up to 200 hundred visitors, from the region and abroad, make the trek to the site each
month, despite access difficulties and concerns over security.
“That would suggest that the potential is indeed enormous, and not just limited to rock caves, “ said Mr. Keating.
“There’s the natural environment, the coast and the beaches are incredible, the potential for tourism is enormous.”
There have been concerns over recent years that the site’s paintings are under threat of serious deterioration from
their exposure to the elements as well as local animals.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sent a team to review the site in 2016. It has made
recommendations on how to best safeguard it, and is working with local authorities on putting those measures in place.